Bill Walsh didn't just win football games, he created a repeatable system for winning at anything.
The San Francisco 49ers of the 1980s rose from the bottom of the NFL to a three-time Super Bowl dynasty because Bill built a culture, a standard, and a way of operating that elevated everyone around him.
Bring Your Own Pencil translates that legendary Standard of Performance into a modern leadership manual, brought to life through real stories of innovators, operators, and founders who succeeded by raising their standards.
From the unlikely rise of Raising Cane's to the lifesaving medical innovations of the U.S. Army's elite 75th Ranger Regiment, these pages show the Standard of Performance in action and reveal how that same standard can transform teams, careers, and organizations today.
If you want to lead with purpose, raise the standards of your team, and build something that lasts - start here.
Brand, Griffin: - Griffin Brand is an entrepreneur, investor, and former Army Ranger. He graduated from Davidson College, where he played football, before spending more than eight years on active duty in the U.S. Army, including service in Europe and later in Special Operations with the elite 75th Ranger Regiment. After leaving the military, Griffin transitioned into private equity, first as Director of Investor Relations for Wellings Capital and then as Vice President of Corporate Development at HighGround Restoration Group, a private equity-backed company focused on acquiring and scaling damage restoration businesses across the United States.Driven by the pursuit of personal excellence and a desire to help others grow, Griffin co-founded the Veteran Ventures Podcast, which shares the stories of veterans who have successfully transitioned into business and entrepreneurship. His work sits at the intersection of leadership, discipline, and building a life aligned with purpose. Based in North Carolina, he and his family spend their time traveling, staying active outdoors, and investing in experiences that matter.
Casey, Dan: - Dan Casey is a football coach, strategist, and writer. Known for his obsessive curiosity and clarity of thought, he has spent more than a decade studying football at its deepest levels-schemes, structure, decision-making, and the hidden margins where games are actually won. Through coaching, teaching, writing, and film study, he has earned the trust of coaches at every level of football, including opportunities to collaborate with and learn alongside NFL staffs. His work is defined by an uncommon ability to see the game both technically and philosophically-and to explain it in ways that make others better.Dan represents a modern evolution of football leadership: one rooted in shared knowledge, disciplined preparation, and respect for the craft. He has become a bridge between generations of coaches, translating complex concepts into practical tools while honoring the foundational principles that built the sport. More than tactics, his work emphasizes standards-how teams prepare, how leaders think, and how culture is built over time. Bring Your Own Pencil reflects that same ethos: a belief that success in football, as in life, is earned through intention, curiosity, and relentless attention to detail.
